Twenty-five year old Charlotte Charlie Barrow is caught between her old life, and the one she is beginning to build, when she crosses paths with a handsome stranger on the subway. Not looking for romance, she closes her heart off to the possibilities of love. With a knack for mishaps, Charlie maintains her sense of humor while befriending the kind stranger who seems to be there at all the right times.
New York freelance writer, Charlie Adams is forging his own path beyond the expectations of the society circles of his childhood. Rejecting family money, and fast-lane friends, he is snubbed by his family as he follows his own compass to a life more extraordinary.
Their chemistry is palpable as they balance precariously on the line that divides them as friends or more.
Charlie walks close, so close, and drops his arms forward on either side of me. He’s trapped me between them, and although I shouldn’t want this with a friend, I do with him. I want it more than I should. I love being this close to him, but instead of giving in, I hold my own, standing my ground. His head moves even closer to mine, but he purposely keeps our bodies apart.
“I bet I can.”
This is the tale of two Charlies learning to trust again while fighting their fates to create their own destiny.
The Interview
I’m so excited to welcome my first ever guest, S.L. Scott, the author of Naturally, Charlie to Read Your Writes. I have to tell you I did a little happy dance when I found out that you were doing a stop here.
I did a little dancing myself. I’m so excited to not just be here, but to be the first ever. Thank you for the honor.
How did you get into writing?
I’ve always been writing and loved creating. Growing up, I painted a lot, wrote poetry and small books that I would staple together, crafted. I love the arts. I even have a journalism degree. Just love the ability to create something from nothing. A little bit of inspiration hits and my mind whirls with developing ideas and storylines and a lot of emotion.
Is Naturally, Charlie your first book?
Naturally, Charlie is my first published novel. A lot of unpublished novels preceded NC, so this is not only surreal and exciting, but it’s accomplishing a goal of mine that I’ve had for many years.
What made you decide to have both of your lead characters be named Charlie?
The concept was born that way so it wasn’t a decision I made so much as it came to me that way already. I envisioned the part where they run into each other in the park and both of their names were Charlie. The title came next and immediate. The rest of the story developed from there.
Since cupcakes were a weekly thing, I’m surprised you didn’t put a recipe or two into the book. Did you think about doing that?
I thought about it, but so many books out right now have recipes incorporated and really the storyline wasn’t about the cooking, but more the bonding. Girl Charlie usually baked before Charlie Boy came over, so it wasn’t about the process, but more the destination with the cupcakes.
I do have a book club section on my website which has recipes inspired by the book or vice versa. There is a Margarita Cupcake recipe which is one of the ones she bakes in the book. I also had a mixologist friend create a martini in honor of the book. She’s read it and created the Charlie-tini. It’s amazingly delicious. She tried to incorporate the cupcake theme as well as the color red from the cover into the drink and as I said, it’s really great and very pretty.
After I got my brain around the fact that the Charlies were each stating things from the way they saw them, I liked the concept. Why did you choose to write the book in first person?
I personally love reading books that put you inside the characters heads. Third person is great too, but I love that connection of knowing their inner thoughts and experiencing life through their eyes. I think first person puts you into the story on a deeper level allowing you to feel what the characters feel instead of only reading about how they feel.
You live in a beautiful part of the state. I know that when people think about Texas, they think big cowboy hats, boots, and oil drills. Which I just want to add is NOT the case! What’s your favorite part of living in the area? And it’s okay to mention the food, just to make my mouth water.
I completely agree. There is a definite stereotype of Texas that is exaggerated on TV and in movies. Where I live, it’s not like that. I love the trees and being in ‘the hill country’, the huge music and movie scene here, and of course the food. Mexican food is my favorite and I go into withdrawals if it’s been more than a few days since I’ve eaten it. lol
What is it about Naturally, Charlie that would like to have your readers take away from the book? Aside from the fact that Charlie Adams is just TOO good to be true. Yes, I’m in love with him.
I’m in love with him too. Is that wrong for me to confess? Lol Well, even if it’s wrong, it’s the truth.
I’d love for everyone to appreciate the flaws in Charlie Girl as much as they love the sweetness of Boy Charlie. I like that she’s human and isn’t scripted. She lets her emotions get away from her sometimes and doesn’t always do or say the perfect or right thing. I like a bit of realism in my stories because I relate better to them.
Are you an e-book or paperback girl and which genres do you read?
Always paperback or hard copy… until now. I just got my Kindle a few days ago. I’m so excited to be using an ereader and have high hopes of reading more again. I love contemporary romance category. I write the type of stuff I like to read, but occasionally fit in some others that I loved like Twilight and The Hunger Games. Those are so different from my current stuff and I really enjoyed them.
I know Naturally, Charlie just came out. But I’m one of those readers who if they like a book harass the author immediately for their next one. I’m working on not doing that so much. But since you’re here…. What’s next for you, do you know?
LOL. I love that you’re asking and I know exactly what you mean. When I love an author’s work I’m anxious to get their next book too.
I have several ‘next’ in the works. I need to see which one happens first. I’m in editing mode these days, but can’t really reveal more than that at this time. I do currently have a novelette called Morning Glory on Amazon which was a lot of fun to write and exciting to publish.
Thank you again for taking the time to stop by and answer my questions.
Thank you again for hosting me on your website. I loved your questions and had a great time.
It's A Giveaway!!!!
The Writer’s Coffee Shop is generously offering a digital copy of Naturally, Charlie to one winner.
To enter for your chance to win, leave a comment below and follow the Rafflecopter instructions.
The winner will receive a digital copy through The Writer’s Coffee Shop website page or by direct email. The digital copy can be in either mobi or epub formatting.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
___________________________________________________________________________
S.L. Scott is a former high-tech account manager with a journalism degree pursuing her passion for telling stories. She spends her days escaping into her characters and letting them lead her on their adventures.
Live music shows, harvesting jalapenos and eating homemade guacamole are her obsessions she calls hobbies.
Scott lives in the beautiful Texas Hill Country of Austin with her husband, two young sons, two Papillons and a bowl full of Sea Monkeys.
